POTLUCK LUNCHEON
DRESDEN: You are cordially invited to attend the Iris Festival "potluck" luncheon at the Dresden Senior Citizens Center on Wednesday, April 29th at 12:00 noon. Admission is free and everyone is invited. For information, please contact Gail Rogers, Chairperson, at 364-5678.

IRIS FESTIVAL BAKING CONTEST
DRESDEN: The Dresden Senior Citizens Center would like to invite you to bring your favorite baked goods on Wednesday, April 29th to the Harmon and Lucille McWherter Civic Center, 589 Evergreen Street, Dresden.
Entries may be brought in starting at 8:00 a.m. and judging will begin at 10:00 a.m. This is open to all ages. There is no entry fee. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category.
For more information, contact Gail Rogers, Chairperson, at 364-5678.

COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY "TEAM UP AGAINST CHILD ABUSE"
MARTIN: To promote awareness in our communities, the Carl Perkins Center and the Martin Police Department will be hosting a Community Appreciation Day on Thursday, April 30 to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month. Join your friends at the Martin City Gazebo, next to City Hall, for grilled hotdogs and fellowship beginning at 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Hotdogs will be free to those wearing the new "Team Up Against Child Abuse" T-shirt. The T-shirts can be ordered through April 27 by calling the Center at 731-587-0768. For a $2.00 or more donation, a sack lunch consisting of a hotdog and drink will also be available.
 

TURF CLUB PLANS RAFFLE FUNDRAISER
MARTIN: The University of Tennessee at Martin Turf Club plans a raffle at 9:00 a.m., May 2, at the C.E. Weldon Public Library, during the Martin Beautiful Spring Seminar Series. Prizes being awarded include a John Deere String Trimmer, and Hand Blower. Two winners will be selected. Raffle tickets may be purchased through April 24 at $5 per ticket. Winners do not have to be present to win. Proceeds from raffle will be used to send a UT Martin team to the 2010 Golf Course Superintendent Association of America Turf Bowl. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Austin Hines at davashine@utm.edu.

2009 IRIS FESTIVAL PARADE
DRESDEN: The Tennessee Iris Festival Parade will be held Saturday, May 2, 2009, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Entry forms are now available and can be picked up at First State Bank - Dresden and Dresden City Hall. Entry fee is $25.00 for motorized vehicles; $15.00 for floats and $10.00 for walkers. For more information, please contact Penny Gallimore, Chairperson, at First State Bank, 364-3131, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Deadline to enter is Tuesday, April 28, 2009.

IRIS FESTIVAL GOLF TOURNAMENT SET FOR APRIL 30
SHARON: The 14th annual Iris Festival Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, April 30 at Persimmon Hills Golf Course in Sharon. The tournament will be a three-person scramble with cash prizes for several teams. Lunch will be provided by the Dresden Rotary Club at 11:30 a.m. and tee time to follow at 12:30 p.m. Applications may be picked up at Dresden Insurance Agency, Dresden City Hall, or the Persimmon Hills Golf Course. Deadline for applications is April 29 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, call David Campbell at (731) 364-3117 or Collin Johnson at (731) 364-3226 for any questions or additional information.

QUILT/NEEDLEWORK SHOW
DRESDEN: The Dresden Senior Citizens Center, located at 589 Evergreen Street, Dresden, will be hosting a Quilt/Needlework Show on Thursday, April 30th from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Friday, May 1st from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Entries will be taken on Wednesday, April 29th from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to bring your favorite items to be shown. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be awarded for each category.
This event is free and open to everyone. For more information, contact the Dresden Senior Citizens Center at 364-5678.

'CANS FOR KIDS' DRIVE AT IRIS MUSIC FEST
DRESDEN: Area citizens are asked to drop off their aluminum cans in the trailer or trashcans marked "Cans For Kids" which will be set up somewhere around the square in downtown Dresden during the Iris Festival Music Fest scheduled for Friday, May 1. Cans will be collected beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Music Fest, which is free to the public, will be held from 7:00-10:00 p.m. In case of rain, the Music Fest will be held in the Dresden Athletic Center (old Dresden Gym). The "Cans For Kids" drive provides money for children at the Baptist Children's Home Memphis. For more information about the fundraiser, contact program director, Tilman Arant, at 364-3097.

FUNDRAISER YARD SALE
DRESDEN: The Dresden High School Service Learning Class will be holding a yard sale on Saturday, May 2nd at Dresden High School. The profits from the yard sale will be going towards the purchase of a new copier for the school. The sale will begin at 7:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. There will also be a bake sale and Pepsi products available. If any person or business would like to donate money or items to the yard sale, please contact Debra Stringer at Dresden High School (364-2949) or by email at stringerd@k12tn.net. All leftover items will be donated to We Care in Martin.

YARD AND BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
DRESDEN: Dresden Middle School students participating in the 2009 Grand Canyon Trip June 8-11th will be having a yard sale and bake sale Saturday, May 2nd on Linden Street, next to Dresden Middle School. If you would like to donate yard sale items, please call 456-2780 or 819-4869 or drop off items by 8:00 a.m. the morning of the sale.

NINTENDO Wii TOURNAMENT
GLEASON: There will be a Nintento Wii Tournament on Saturday, May 2nd, at the Gleason First Methodist Church. The event will feature Marion Kart and Guitar Hero and the cost is $5.00 per person to enter the tournament. There will be concessions on sale and proceeds go to American Cancer Society's Relay For Life Weakley East.

IRIS FESTIVAL COOKOUT
DRESDEN: St. James Church, 238 N. Wilson Street, Dresden, will have an Iris Festival Cookout on Saturday, May 2. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, Polish sausage and cold drinks for sale.

RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER
GREENFIELD: Saturday, May 2nd, members of First Baptist Church Relay For Life teams will be bagging and carrying out groceries at EW James in Greenfield. All donations go to Relay For Life.

BBQ CHICKEN COOK
GLEASON: Gleason Fire Department will hold their annual BBQ Chicken Cook will be held May 2 at the fire station from 11:00 a.m. until sold out.
 

GOSPEL SINGING
McKENZIE: "With Willing Hearts" will be singing Homecoming services, at Caladonia Baptist Church in McKenzie. The singing will start at 1:30. Come out and help make this a great day in the Lord. Everyone is invited to attend.

HISTORICAL CELEBRATION OF WEAKLEY COUNTY
WEAKLEY COUNTY: You are cordially invited to the Weakley County Historical Celebration Reception commemorating the 185th Anniversary of our County and the 60th Anniversary of the Weakley County Courthouse on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Weakley County Courthouse. Please come and commemorate this special event in history as we honor those who have been a vital role in our community and reflect back on the history of our great County.

OLD BETHEL REVIVAL
PALMERSVILLE: Old Bethel Baptist Church will have revival services May 3 through May 6 with Wayne Perkins, D.O.M., as evangelist. Sunday services will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. with a fellowship meal following Sunday evening services. Monday through Wednesday evening services will begin at 7:00 p.m.

SPRING CHORAL CONCERT
DRESDEN: The Dresden High School Choir will present the Spring Choral Concert Sunday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dresden High School Little Theater. Selections include "Down to the River to Pray" from the popular film "O Brother, Where Art Thou," "Fiddlin' Jamboree" a fun collection of folk tunes, "In Flanders Fields" a memorial to our soldiers, "Shalom Chaverim" and two beautiful Mozart Nocturnos. Bring your friends and family to an afternoon of great music. Admission is by donation only.

3RD ANNUAL STROLLING TO SURVIVE STROKE WALK
MARTIN: HEALTHSOUTH Cane Creek Rehabilitation Hospital and Volunteer Community Hospital will be hosting the 3rd Annual Strolling to Survive Stroke Walk at the Martin Parks Complex Rotary Pavilion, Tuesday, May 5, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Dr. Hasan Sonmezturk will speak on the importance of getting rapid emergency treatment for stroke symptoms. Other topics to be discussed will be: returning to functional activities of daily living after stroke and simple exercises within the home. Please RSVP to 731-587-4231 by Friday, May 1st. If you would like more information, please call Trina Vickers or Lori Manley at 731-587-4231 or Lora McDonald at 731-587-4261.

SPRING FLING DANCE
MARTIN: Martin Senior Adult Center announces it's annual Spring Fling Dance to be held on May 7, 2009. The location will be at Westview High School Cafeteria. This year's entertainment will be Larry Morgan. The admission will be $5.00 per person. Note the new time: 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available. All senior adults are invited. For questions, please contact the senior adult center at 587-3900.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER OBSERVANCE SET
GREENFIELD: A community-wide National Day of Prayer service will be held at noon on Thursday, May 7 at the mini-park in downtown Greenfield. The public is invited to attend this observance where various church and civic leaders will lead in prayers of repentance and supplication. Tim and Lana Chandler of Greenfield will serve as worship leaders.
National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman and exists to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America's leaders and its families, based on the understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.
If there is inclement weather, the service will be held at the First United Pentecostal Church, 202 S. Front Street, just 2 blocks south of the mini-park. For more information contact the Weakley County NDP Coordinator, Pastor Wendell Jellison at 731-235-3040.
 

RELAY COOKOUT
GLEASON: Thursday, May 7th, Bank of Gleason will host a cookout during lunchtime. The fundraiser will benefit the Weakley East Relay For Life.

DRESDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL END OF SCHOOL DANCE
DRESDEN: The 2009 Grand Canyon Committee is sponsoring an End of School Dance for Dresden Middle School students on Friday, May 8 from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The dance will be held at the Ned McWherter Civic Center. Todd Maxey will be the DJ. There will be great door prizes every hour. Advanced tickets are $5.00 in advance or $6.00 at the door. For more information, call 819-4869 or 456-2780.
 

RELAY FOR LIFE BEAUTY PAGEANT
GLEASON: First Baptist Gleason Relay for Life Team will sponsor the Relay for Life Beauty Pageant on Saturday, May 9, at the Gleason School Gymnasium. Doors open at 12:00 noon and the pageant will begin at 1:00 p.m. Categories include: Boys and Girls - 0-6 months, 1:00 p.m.; 7-11 months, 1:30 p.m.; 12-23 months, 2:00 p.m.; 2-3 years, 2:30 p.m.; and 4-5 years, 3:00 p.m.; Girls only: 6-8 years, 3:30 p.m.; 9-10 years, 4:00 p.m.; 11-12 years, 4:30 p.m.; 13-15 years, 5:00 p.m.; and 16-21 years, 5:30 p.m. Beauty only will be judged with an entry fee of $25.00. There will be a King, Queen and 4 Alternates chosen. Queens in the girls only categories will be eligible for Strawberry Festival 2010. Admission fee is $3.00. One parent will be admitted free with contestants. All proceeds go to the First Baptist Gleason Relay for Life Team for The American Cancer Society. For more information, Dawn 514-8880 or Tonya at 648-9004.

RELAY FOR LIFE PAGEANT
GLEASON: Saturday, May 9th, Gleason First Baptist Church Relay Team will sponsor a Relay For Life Pageant. Ages are 0-21. Registration begins at 12:00 noon. The first pageant begins at 1:00 p.m. The cost is $25.00, admission is $3.00 for 5 and up. One free admission with each contestant. If you have questions, call Dawn Lampkins at 514-8880 or Cristi Wallace at 648-2198.

JACKSON SYMPHONY PERFORMANCE IN UNION CITY
UNION CITY: The Community Concert Association of Union City/Obion County ends its 2008-2009 season when the Jackson Symphony presents an exciting professional performance on Saturday, May 9. The Orchestra was founded in 1961 by a group of leading citizens who wanted to bring classical music to the city of Jackson and the surrounding communities.
The Jackson Symphony performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Union City Civic Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the performance. For tickets, one may also contact Chuck Doss at 731-886-1155.
 

LIFELINE BLOOD DRIVE
GLEASON: There will be a Lifeline Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 13 from noon until 6:00 p.m. at the Gleason United Methodist Church. All donors will receive a free T-shirt. Register to win a movie basket (Blockbuster coupons, popcorn, coke). Also register to win two 4-day tickets to the CMA Musical Festival (Fan Fair) June 11, 12, and 13. Package includes a 3-night stay in Nashville. The blood drive is sponsored by the Gleason Rotary Club. For more information, call 731-648-5506.

JACK & JILL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
GLEASON: Tumbling Creek Baptist Church in Gleason will host their annual Jack & Jill Softball Tournament on May 16. Contact Mike Stafford for more information.

32ND ANNUAL STEPHEN WRIGHT MEMORIAL INDUSTRIAL APPRECIATION GOLF TOURNAMENT AND DINNER
SHARON: The 32nd Annual Stephen Wright Memorial Industrial Appreciation Golf Tournament and Dinner, sponsored by Weakley County Chamber of Commerce, will be held May 21 at Persimmon Hills Golf Course in Sharon. For more information or a registration form, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 364-3787 or e-mail at wcassistant@crunet.com.

WEAKLEY WEST RELAY FOR LIFE SURVIVOR'S DINNER
MARTIN: The Weakley West Relay for Life Survivor's Dinner will be held on Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) at Vincent Implements (across from Westview High School) in Martin. Weakley West Relay for Life will be held on Friday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the UT Martin Football Stadium Parking Lot.